Gabriel Liddell, 10, of Nelson, mastered the art of cherry pit spitting and took away a first-place ribbon in his category. His lips are still vibrating with power as the pit flies on just the right upward trajectory. (Richard McGuire photo)
Thousands of people celebrated the 70th Cherry Fiesta and Canada Day Sunday in Osoyoos. There was a parade, bhangra dancers, pancake breakfast, entertainers, cherry pit spitting, fireworks and much more. Check the Osoyoos Times and our website for more coverage. (Richard McGuire photos)
Jim King, a Rotarian and town councillor, pours pancake batter onto the grill during the Rotary Pancake Breakfast. Mike Brosseau looks on while Gina MacKay (right), Town of Osoyoos director of planning and development, flips pancakes. (Richard McGuire photo)
Members of the South Okanagan Punjabi community made some 3,500 samosas to serve free to the crowds celebrating Canada Day and Cherry Fiesta. (Richard McGuire photo)
What goes better with a red turban on Canada Day than a red hockey jersey and maple leaf flags? (Richard McGuire photo)
The South Okanagan Punjabi Society’s booth beside BMO was a hopping place with bhangra dancers and samosas and drinks for all. (Richard McGuire photo)
The South Okanagan Punjabi Society’s booth beside BMO was a hopping place with bhangra dancers and samosas and drinks for all. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Osoyoos Fire Department brought Santa Claus and elves to Main Street for the usual epic water fight before the parade. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Osoyoos Fire Department brought Santa Claus and elves to Main Street for the usual epic water fight before the parade. (Richard McGuire photo)
Kids, adults and some Osoyoos Home Hardware employees took up water weapons for the epic water fight with the Osoyoos and Anarchist Mountain firefighters. (Richard McGuire photo)
Kids, adults and some Osoyoos Home Hardware employees took up water weapons for the epic water fight with the Osoyoos and Anarchist Mountain firefighters. (Richard McGuire photo)
Osoyoos firefighters dressed as elves and armed with hoses took on the crowds in a fierce water battle in front of Osoyoos Home Hardware. (Richard McGuire photo)
Osoyoos firefighters dressed as elves and armed with hoses took on the crowds in a fierce water battle in front of Osoyoos Home Hardware. (Richard McGuire photo)
Osoyoos firefighters dressed as elves and armed with hoses took on the crowds in a fierce water battle in front of Osoyoos Home Hardware. (Richard McGuire photo)
Osoyoos firefighters dressed as elves and armed with hoses took on the crowds in a fierce water battle in front of Osoyoos Home Hardware. (Richard McGuire photo)
After the water fight, but before the parade, the bhangra dancers did a bit of dancing on Main Street. (Richard McGuire photo)
After the water fight, but before the parade, the bhangra dancers did a bit of dancing on Main Street. (Richard McGuire photo)
Dressed as giant cherries (not tomatores) Ronda Jahn and Ken Baker of the Osoyoos Times lead off the Cherry Fiesta parade. (Richard McGuire photo)
Sgt. Jason Bayda, commanding officer of the Osoyoos RCMP Detachment, waves from the RCMP’s all-terrain vehicle. (Richard McGuire photo)
Branch 173 of the Royal Canadian Legion, along with representation from the Legion in Oroville, marched with flags near the front of hte parade. (Richard McGuire photo)
Summerland Pipes and Drums brought bagpipes, kilts and drums to Main Street. (Richard McGuire photo)
Auto aficionado J.F. Launier drives Mayor Sue McKortoff and Councillor C.J. Rhodes in a classic convertible. (Richard McGuire photo)
Councillor Jim King waves as Councillor Mike Campol drives in the Cherry Fiesta parade. (Richard McGuire photo)
This is the second year that Aikum Takher has ridden in the Cherry Fiesta parade as Osoyoos Ambassador. There was no pageant this year and she is serving another year as ambassador. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society brought its boat to the parade. Bob Sherwood waves. (Richard McGuire photo)
Harold Cox brought his 1928 Ford Model A to the parade, along with some grandkids. (Richard McGuire photo)
A clown on a unicycle zips around the kids, tossing candy. (Richard McGuire photo)
A Portuguese drum band brings a booming beat to Main Street. (Richard McGuire photo)
A Portuguese drum band brings a booming beat to Main Street. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Wakepilot boat float passes under the Cherry Fiesta banner. (Richard McGuire photo)
Chelsea Cameron-Horner, Miss Petite Canada for Southwest B.C., gives a royal wave to the crowds. (Richard McGuire photo)
A young girl wears a traditional Mexican dress on a colourful float. (Richard McGuire photo)
Wearing traditional Mexican dress, these ladies danced behind their float in the parade. (Richard McGuire photo)
Susan Vanderzwan was showing the flag as she watched the parade. (Richard McGuire photo)
Crowds fill Main Street after the parade. (Richard McGuire photo)
Wearing ornately colourful clothing, members of the Punjabi dance group pose for a photo. (Richard McGuire photo)
Traffic had resumed after the parade, but the Punjabi dancers continued dancing on the closed street next to BMO. (Richard McGuire photo)
Osoyoos Ambassador Aikum Takher and a couple visiting Summerland Princesses joined in the bhangra dancing. (Richard McGuire photo)
Traffic had resumed after the parade, but the Punjabi dancers continued dancing on the closed street next to BMO. (Richard McGuire photo)
Councillor C.J. Rhodes, Mayor Sue McKortoff, Councillor Mike Campol and Councillor Jim King (at back) slice and prepare hundreds of pieces of cake. Councillor Carol Youngberg (not pictured) was also serving. (Richard McGuire photo)
After opening ceremonies, the dancers from Dance Oasis gave a performance. (Richard McGuire photo)
After opening ceremonies, the dancers from Dance Oasis gave a performance. (Richard McGuire photo)
After opening ceremonies, the dancers from Dance Oasis gave a performance. (Richard McGuire photo)
After opening ceremonies, the dancers from Dance Oasis gave a performance. (Richard McGuire photo)
After opening ceremonies, the dancers from Dance Oasis gave a performance. (Richard McGuire photo)
Local singer Cindy Doucette pours her soul into a song Sunday afternoon at the bandshell in Gyro Park. (Richard McGuire photo)
These women show the technique for the cherry pie eating contest in which contestants can’t use their hands. The secret is to flip the pie out of the aluminum holder and then devour the pie from the bottom. (Richard McGuire photo)
These women show the technique for the cherry pie eating contest in which contestants can’t use their hands. The secret is to flip the pie out of the aluminum holder and then devour the pie from the bottom. (Richard McGuire photo)
These sisters declared themselves first- and second-place winners in their cherry pie eating category. (Richard McGuire photo)
Gabriel Liddell, 10, of Nelson, mastered the art of cherry pit spitting and took away a first-place ribbon in his category. His lips are still vibrating with power as the pit flies on just the right upward trajectory. (Richard McGuire photo)
Nick Paton, 10, from Burns Lake, lets a cherry pit fly in the cherry pit spitting contest. (Richard McGuire photo)
